Video Tutorial: How To Make Your Own Acoustic Panels - By Demon

Our good friend Catalyst has asked me to post this tutorial in this subforum.

This is a tutorial for you to create your own acoustic panels or, at least, to make them the way I did. These feature a double frame design, which is something I came up with to have the insulation/rockwool batt away from the wall.

Anyway, instead of rockwool I used a similar product called "soundscreen", which is designed specifically for sound absorption. I paid AU$48 for each pack of 8 batts (got two packs). Measurements for each batt are 1160mm x 580mm. Thickness is 70mm. These are as sound-absorbent as 100mm rockwool panels. What kind I say, the stuff is amazing, not itchy at all and it is super safe and fire-retardant.

I used pine 90mm x 19mm timber for the frame and I used a smaller 20mm x 20mm bits of wood for an inner frame on which the soundscreen batt sits; this also helps to keep the batt away from the wall by about 20mm. Every bit of wood was glued, drilled and screwed.

For the fabric I used:
Back of panels - Enviro cloth spun bonded at a ridiculous AU$0.99 per metre*
Front of panels black - Enviro cloth spund bonded (a bit heavier) AU$3.99 per metre*
Front of panels red - Indian cotton < a beautiful dark red that is very breathable. This are much nicer and will be used in a living room.

*The enviro cloth spun bonded is very similar to the stuff they put on top of speakers, just thicker and stronger. Extremely breathable stuff, but JUST not see-through.

The final measurement of the panels is 618mm x 1388mm, including the frame.

All materials for 8 panels was AU$544.00. This also includes some tools I didn't have such as big-ass stapler, framing materials, lots of screws, countersink drill bits, etc. Roughly, about $55-$60 per panel. As a reference, an Australian dollar is very close to the US dollar.

Ok, so here are some photos...

The soundscreen batts pack

The frame

The back fabric on

The batt on (you can see how it has a bit extra to fill the height of the panel)

This is really just spectacular stuff not only for the clear and concise content and entertaining approach but also how well the video was made and the attention to detail. Beyond that it puts a face to the people that we talk to everyday and reminds us that there is a living breathing human being behind that screen because some of us seem to forget that at times. I really want to show our sincere gratitude for taking the time to put this together Cristian (or should I call you Demon). It's our first in-house produced live tutorial video, it belongs in AudioSex Academy and I'm really proud to have it there. Demon you rock brother.

They are very similar but yours is more "good looking" and more "professional" built
I did not use an innerframe just some small pieces of wood to block the rockwool from falling out.
And i did not use any glue only screws
And i used cheapest wood i could find same size though
And i used much cheaper fabric i even had to color the fabric myself "well my girlfriend did that" and whats even worse the fabric was not as big as the frame so i had to lenghten it..

Good to hear I'm not the only one who thought of using wood to hold the batt away from the wall. Man, how did you/she colour the fabric?

Everyone, thanks for your comments; it means a lot.

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If he/she painted the fabric which is the first material who "face" the sound, then it's not a good thing, because the paint would close the cells who are supposed to absorb the sound and attenuate them into the acoustic insulation foam.

Right Evo, some kind of paint (especially those that one can use to color a dark fabric) can even create a impermeable layer that act as a reflective surface *yes*
If the fabric was white or so and you just painted with a transparent paint that let the fabric "breathe" its ok though.

Said this, WOW Demon, this is a great contribute. Great to see someone who actually know how to use machinery/tools and to properly work wood.
(my father's a woodworker so I grew up in his laboratory and worked with wood since I was a child for fun, so I know well, I'm pretty good at this kinda jobs).
I see so many bullshit and terrible jobs from DIYrs often, this is what a guy looking to build his own panels should watch. Best tut I've seen in a long while.
Great attention to the details and aesthetic too, and lovely video explanation

You rock man ! This definitely asks for some headbanging!

PS: Nice, now I can give a face to one of the guys I talk to everyday here! Agree Cat on that.
Loved the a.k.a Demon part me too lol.
That face change needed a 1second demoniac growl with gtrs and 300bpm double kick Metal break though *yes*

This is very well done, congratulations for your dedication and effort!

Oh and your kid looks cute too!

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Yep. Cutest, cheekiest, most devilish kid ever. Has the power of cuteness and knows how to use it. You got no idea how many times I had to re-take that last bit because she kept grabbing tools and talking to me, asking for a drink, for a snack, for her teddy... Parenthood is seriously awesome.

Awesome Ned. I'll be looking out for that one. I actually decided to keep my current desk and get an extension for it. It works fine for now. I'll upgrade/build something bigger, better, bolder when money allows!